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Destroyers Open The Season 0-2; Lose To Dallas Desperadoes 46-36

March 7, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


DALLAS - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, lost their second consecutive game of the season to the Dallas Desperados 46-36 in front of 12,432 fans at American Airlines Center Friday night. This marks the first time the Destroyers have opened a season 0-2 in Columbus since 2005.

Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy completed 21-of-35 for 202 yards and four touchdowns. Derek Lee led the receiving corps, for the second consecutive game, with nine receptions for 131 yards and four touchdowns.

Desperados quarterback Chris Sanders filled in for injured quarterback Clint Dolezel. The future AFL Hall-of-Famer, suffered a separated right shoulder last week against the Georgia Force. Sanders completed 21-of-34 for 268 yards and five touchdowns and was named Offensive Player of the Game. Wide receiver Marcus Nash led the Desperados with eight receptions for 112 yards and three touchdowns.

Trailing 14-0 in the first quarter, Nagy found Lee wide open downfield for a 40-yard touchdown on the Destroyers third possession of the game.

On the ensuing Desperados drive, Sanders found Nash for their second touchdown of the game. Dallas retained a 14-point lead, 21-7. Less than two minutes later, Nagy found Lee streaking wide open down the sideline for a 42-yard touchdown. The Destroyers cut their deficit to 21-14.

Sanders and Nash extended the Desperados lead to 27-14 after a 26-yard touchdown. The Destroyers answered when kicker Mark Lewis made good on a 31-yard field goal attempt with :24 remaining in the first half. After a failed on-side kickoff attempt, the Desperados padded their lead as Sanders found Will Pettis for a one-yard touchdown pass. The Desperados led 33-17 at halftime. Sanders finished the first 30 minutes of play 13-of-20 for 174 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensive lineman Prentice Purnell stalled the Desperados first possession of the second half sacking Sanders on fourth down on the Dallas 8-yard line. The Destroyers took advantage as Nagy found Lee for their third score of the game on a three-yard pass. Columbus trailed 33-24 with 9:18 remaining in the third quarter. Pettis scored his second touchdown of the game on a one-yard touchdown run giving the Desperados a 39-24 lead at the end of three quarters of play.

Destroyers fullback Harold Wells rumbled in from nine-yards for his third touchdown of the season to open the fourth quarter. After Lewis' point after attempt failed the Desperados lead was cut to nine points, 39-30.

Former Destroyers wide receiver/defensive back Josh Bush, sealed the Destroyers fate as he caught a three yard touchdown pass to give the Desperados a 46-30 advantage. Lee and Nagy teamed up for their fourth touchdown from 10-yards with 3:38 remaining in the game.

The Destroyers will kick off their 2008 home schedule against division rival Cleveland Gladiators in the "Battle of the Buckeye State" presented by Columbus Worthington Air on Saturday, March 15. Kickoff at Nationwide Arena is slated for 7 p.m. The teams will be playing for the "Battle of the Buckeye State" Trophy sponsored by Columbus Worthington Air. Before kickoff, the team will raise the 2007 National Conference Championship Banner. The first 10,000 fans will receive a 2008 Destroyers magnet schedule. During the post game autograph session, presented by Nationwide, fans will be able to win a $10 gift certificate in the Giant Eagle Ham Toss.

WE BELIEVE that Saturdays are meant for football. The Destroyers 2008 home schedule features seven Saturday night games and one Monday night contest. For a limited time, fans can purchase two season tickets, two AFL replica footballs and two Destroyers hats for ONLY $222. The package can be purchased by calling (877) COLS-AFL. Single game tickets start at just $15 and are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, ticketmaster Ticket Centers, ticketmaster.com and all FSN Ohio Blue Line team stores located at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Chiller Easton, Chiller Dublin and Chiller North. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.

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